The Greek tennis star Seriously Considered Retirement Amid Pain-Filled 2025 Season
The athlete entered the previous US Open as the 26th seed.
The tennis professional disclosed he pondered quitting the sport due to debilitating spinal pain during the season.
The 27-year-old, who has reached a career-high ranking of world number three, was a finalist to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the 2021 French Open alongside the 2023 Australian Open.
Now ranked as the world's 36th best player following minimal competition post a early exit in New York in August, Tsitsipas indicated that ongoing treatment is finally showing positive results.
"My greatest anticipation is to observe how my training responds during actual training concerning my back," commented Tsitsipas.
"My primary worry was whether I was able to finish a match," the athlete continued, explaining the pain had troubled him "for the past half a year or more."
"I would wonder, 'Am I able to play in another match pain-free?'"
"It was genuinely scary following the loss at the US Open [to Germany's Daniel Altmaier]. I was unable to walk for 48 hours. That's when you begin to question the path ahead."
Tsitsipas further mentioned satisfaction regarding the present treatment regimen after finishing an extended period of off-season preparation completely pain-free.
He is scheduled to compete with the Greek team in the United Cup, drawn against Naomi Osaka's Japan and the British team led by Emma Raducanu. The tournament takes place in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January, the week preceding the Australian Open.
"My main goal next season is to not have concerns about finishing matches," he expressed.
"It provides fantastic feedback to know you completed a pre-season without pain – I hope it continues. I want to deliver during the upcoming season and for the United Cup.
"I have done the work. The crucial element is total belief that I can return to where I was. I will try all means to make it happen."
